Valve lifter



March 3, 1936.

VALVE LIFTER Filed July 16, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY M. F. DOYLE 2,033,025

M. F. DOYLE VALVE LIFTER March 3, 1936.

Filed July 16, 1935 2 Sheeis-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR ATTORNEY II." l

Patented Mar. 3, 1936 EJNETEQ 'lATES znsaczt PATENT ()FFlQE VALVE LIFTER Munsey F. Doyle, St. Augustine, Fla.

Application July 16, 1935, Serial No. 31,659

6 Claims. (01. 2986.3)

This invention relates to valve lifters, and has for the primary object the provision of .a portable hydraulic device of this character which may be conveniently handled and operated by a person with minimum effort and which will have maximum power to compress any size valve spring and to retain the latter compressed without a special locking means and may be easily and quickly released from the spring compressing position by pressing a button, thereby restoring the device ready for use on another spring.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

For a complete understanding of my invention, reference is to be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation illustrating a valve lifter constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View illustrating the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view illustrat ing the lifter.

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 3.

Figure '7 is a side elevation illustrating a modified form of jaw.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral I indicates the body of the device and has formed integrally with one end a fixed or nonmovable handle 2, the top wall of which is slotted, as shown at 3. The handle 2 has associatedtherewith a movable handle 4, pivoted to ears 5 formed on said end of the body The handle 4 is constructed of a single piece of flat metal bent or curved to form parallel members, presenting to said handle 4 a channel type construction and is slotted, as at 3', to decrease the weight thereof without sacrificing strength. The slot 3 in the handle 2 is for the same purpose.

Projecting beyond the other end of the body I are jaws 6 and I, each including parallel members mounted to opposite sides of the body I. The jaw I is relatively fixed with respect to the body I by fasteners 8. However, an adjustment of the jaw I may be had by transferring certain of the fasteners 8 to openings 9 provided in the a body I. The jaw 6 is movably mounted with respect to the body I and jaw 1 and is pivotally connected to the body, as shown at Ill. The members of each jaw are capable of being adjusted relative to one another by bolts ll extending therethrough and having mounted thereon coil springs l2 and also threaded thereto nuts l3. The coil springs bear against the members of the jaws for urging said members apart, while the nuts l3 limit the movement of the members of the jaws apart and permit said members of the jaws to be adjusted towards one another. The members of the jaws are capable of fiexation and thereby permit said members of the jaws to be readily adjusted to fit valve springs of different sizes.

A bell crank lever I4 is pivoted to ears formed on the body I and one end of the bell crank lever has a slot I6 to receive the bolt II of the jaw 6 while the other end of the bell crank lever has a slot and pin connection I1 with a stem I8 of a main piston I9.

Formed in the body I is a main cylinder 20, a pump cylinder 2 I, a reservoir 22 and a chamber 23. The reservoir 22 and the chamber 23 have removable covers 24 secured to the body I by fasteners 25. The chamber 23 and the main cylinder 20 are arranged in superimposed relation and the pump cylinder 2| and the reservoir 22 are arranged in superimposed relation. The main cylinder 20 slidably receives the main piston I9, which has detachably connected thereto a stem 26 slidable in walls of the body I with oneend projecting outwardly of the body and engaged by a packing gland 21 carried by the body. The stem 26 extends through the reservoir 22 and has mounted thereon a coil spring 28, one end of which bears against a wall of the reservoir 22, while the other end bears against a key 29, secured to-the stem 26 so that the spring may act to move the piston I9 in a direction for moving the jaw 6 in the direction of the jaw I.

A packing 30 contacts the stem 26 and an end wall of the main cylinder 29 and is held thereagainst by a coil spring 3| bearing against said packing and the head of the piston l9. The stem 26 is detachably secured to the stem I8 and maintains the head of the piston I9 assembled. The head of said piston includes discs arranged at opposite sides of a cup-shaped washer.

A pump piston 32 is slidable in the pump cylinder 2| and includes stems 33 and M detachably connected with one another and acting to maintain the head of the piston 32 assembled. The piston 32 is similarly constructed to the piston l9.

The stem 33 extends through a Wall of the body by way of a packing gland 34 and is connected to the handle 4 by a pin and slot connection 35. The stem 34 extends through the chamber 23 and a wall of the body by way of a packing gland 36.

Mounted on the stem 34 is a coil spring 31, one end of which bears against a wall of the chamber 23, and the opposite end bears against a key 38 secured .to thestem 34 The spring 3'! acts to urge the piston 32 in a direction to cause the handle 4 to be urged away from the handle 2.

A packing 39, similar to the packing 30, engages the stem 34 and an end wall of the pump cylinder 2| and is held thereagainst by a coil spring-40. The rear end of the pump cylinder .-2| is indirect communication with the rear end of the reservoir 22 by a port 4 I. The chamber "23 is in directcommunication with the reservoir 22 by a passage 42. A passage 44 is formed in the body I and is in direct communication with the rear :end of the main cylinder 20 by 'a port 45 and is also in :communication with the reservoir 22 by a valve seat 4 5 engaged by :a needle type valve 41 which extends through a wall of the body and terminates within the handle 2. A suitable packing 48 is provided around the stem of the needle valve 41 and is received by a recess :in the wall of the reservoir 22. A coil spring 49 is mounted on the stern of the needle valve 41 and acts to seat :the needle valve firmly against the valve seat 46, thereby closing the passage between passage 44 and reservoir "-22, wl ule the opposite end of the spring 49 rests against "the packing 48, serving to maintain a constant tight joint between the valve stem -41 and the wall of the reservoir22.

A p'ivo'tally mountedbell crank lever 50 is carr'ie-d by the handle 2 and has one end flexibly connected to the needle valve stem 41 and its opposite end is engaged by a plunger 51 slida'bly mounted to the handle 2 and terminates in a button 52 overlying the handle 2 and in convenient reach of a finger of a persons 'hand when gripping the handles 2 and 4. The communication between the passage 44 and the reservoir 22 is normally interrupted by the needle valve 41.

A passage 53 is formed in the body 1 below the pump cylinder 2| and is in direct communication with the forward end of said pump cylinder 2| by a port 54 and is also in communicationW-ith the chamber 23 by a port 55 in the form of a valve seat engaged by a spring pressed check valve 55. The outer end of the passage '53 is closed by a threaded plug '57. The passage 53 is also. in direct communication with a passage 58 and the latter is in communication withthe passage 44 in the form of a valve seat 59, engaged by a spring pressed check valve 60. The outer end of the passage 58 is closed by a threaded plug 6|. The forward end of the main cylinder 21) is in direct communication with the forward end of. the chamber 23 by a port 6.4. This direct communication will ,permit liquid to be displaced from .the forward end of the main cylinder into the chamber 23 during the forward movement of .the main piston 19 and the said liquid may then be .dis-

placed from chamber .23 through passage 42 into reservoir 22, thence through port 4| into the rear end of the pump cylinder 2] during said forward movement of the main piston l9 and the pump piston 32, thereby permitting no change in the fluid level in reservoir 22, chamber 23, main cylinder '21] and pump cylinder 2|, these chamberstbeing completelyfilled with liquid throughout the entire cycle of operation of the valve lifter, as will be more fully described.

In operation, after the application of the jaws 6 and in the usual manner to a valve spring of an engine, the handle 4 is moved in the direction of the handle 2, thereby causing the pump piston 32 to be moved forwardly, expelling fluid from the forward end of the pump cylinder 2| through port 54 into passage 53, said passage 53 being interrupted by check valve 56, the liquid is forced upwardly into passage 58, this pressure causing check valve 66 to be raised from its seat 59, allowing the liquid to pass into passage 44, said passage 44 being interrupted at both ends. 'The liquid is forced through port 45 into the rear end of main cylinder 20, causing a pressure to be built up in said cylinder, which pressure being in the rear end of the main cylinder exerts force on the head of the main piston l9 and thereby forcing the latter forwardly, causing the bell crank 14 to be moved in a direction .to urge the jaw 6 .away from the jaw 7, thereby compressing the valve spring. During the aforesaid forward movement of the .pump piston 32 and the main piston l9, there is an equal amount, or volume, of fluid being displaced from the forward end of the main cylinder 26 through port '64 as is being drawn into the rear end of the pump cylinder 2| through port 4|, the liquid being displaced at the :forward end :of the main cylinder 20 through port 64 into chamber 23 passes through passage 42 into :the reservoir 22 and thence through port '4| into :the rear end of the pump cylinder 2|. 'The aforesaid liquid is of the exact volume as of .the liquid :being pumped out of the forward end of the pump cylinder 2| and into the-rear end of the main cylinder 20. Therefore, all liquid moving from any given reservoir, chamber or cylinder is equalized by an-equal volume of liquid being returned to said reservoir, chamber or cylinder fromt'he opposite direction. For example, fluid being displaced at the rear of the pump cylinder .on the rearward stroke, passes into reservoir 22, through passage 42, into chamber 23 where an .equal amount of fluid is being drawn from, and into the pump cylinder at the forward .end. With this arrangement, it is possible to fill all chambers, reservoirs, passages and cylinders completely with fluid so that there remains no air in any of the aforesaid chambers, reservoirs, passages or cylinders. After the filling of the device, the cover 24 is secured tightly in place and since the fluid level is maintained throughout the entire cycle of operation of the device, no .air is admitted into any of the cylinders, chambers, reservoirs or passages which permits the valve lifter to be made small and compact without the addition of bulky reservoirs and air chambers, and since the arrangement of parts prevents any built up pressure being exerted on any of the outside packing glands, cover gaskets, it reduces leakage of the liquid to a minimum. Due "to the arrangement of the check valve and needle valve 47, once the fluid is forced into the rear end of the main cylinder 20 it becomes trapped therein, maintaining the jaw 6 in a position away from the jaw '1, holding the valve spring in a compressed position. To release the valve spring from the compressed position, the button 52 is depressed, causing needle valve 41 to be drawn away from its valve seat 46, allowing the liquid pressure in the rear end of the main cylinder 26 to circulate to the reservoir 22 which allows spring 28 to return main piston 29 to .a rearward position and permits the jaw 6 to return towards jaw 1. When the button 52 is pressed, the pressure of said valve spring on jaw 6 will be sufficient pressure alone to return said jaw S'to its initial position. However, during such occasions as the lifter is not actually com-, pressing the spring, the spring 28 serves to return jaw 6 to its normal position. During the rearward movement of the main piston 19, fluid is displaced from the rear end of the main cylinder 2!! through port 45, passage 44, valve seat 48, into reservoir 22 and since there is at the same time an equal amount of fluid being drawn into the main cylinder 20 at the forward end, the aforesaid fluid passes from reservoir 22 through passage 42 into chamber 23 through port 64 into the forward end of the main cylinder 20.

During the rearward movement of the pump piston 32, which is caused by the coil spring 31, immediately after the operator releases his grip on handles 2 and 4, liquid is drawn into the forward end of the pump piston 32 from chamber 23 through port 55. Fluid traveling in this direction causes check valve 56 to be moved away from its seat, allowing said fluid to pass freely into the passage 53, thence through port 54 into the forward end of the pump cylinder 20 and since at the same time an equal volume of fluid is being displaced from the rear end of said pump cylinder 2| through port 4] into reservoir 22 through passage 42 into chamber 23, from whence the aforesaid liquidis being drawn into pump cylinder 2|, thereby maintaining the chamber 23 filled throughout the entire cycle of operation.

A packing gland consists of one large plug threaded into the body I and closing the forward end of the main cylinder 20, and bored to receive stem l8, and counter-bored and threaded to receive an adjustable packing gland and a suitable packing. Packing gland 34 is similarly constructed to packing gland 65. The aforesaid packing gland assemblies 34 and 65 give access to the main cylinder 20 and the pump cylinder 2!. All packing glands heretofore referred to are easily adjusted to compensate for wear and may be removed to permit introduction of new packing.

A jaw B may be employed in lieu of jaw 6. The jaw 6' is clearly shown in Figure '7, and its work-engaging end I is ofiset laterally from its major portion which will position the working end 1 a greater distance from the working end of the jaw T. In some types of work it is not desirable to have the work engaging end of the jaw 6 offset.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. A hydraulic valve lifter comprising a body, a handle fixed to said body, a movable handle pivoted to said body, a jaw fixed to said body, a movable jaw pivoted to the body, and a hydraulic actuating means carried by said body and connecting said movable handle with the movable jaw whereby the latter may be moved relative to the fixed jaw.

2. A hydraulic valve lifter comprising a body, a handle fixed to said body, a movable handle pivoted to the body, a jaw fixed to said body, a movable jaw pivoted to the body, main and pump cylinders formed in the body, a liquid reservoir and chamber formed in said body and in direct communication with each other, a main piston operating in the main cylinder, means connecting said piston to the movable jaw, a pump piston operating in the pump cylinder and connected to the movable handle, one end of said pump cylinder being in direct communication with one end of the reservoir, one end of the main cylinder being in direct communication with the chamber, said body having a passage communicating with one end of the main cylinder and with the reservoir, said body having passages establishing communication between one end of the pump cy1- inder and the chamber and the first-named passage, check valve means in the second named passages to allow fluid to pass from the chamber into one end of the pump cylinder, and preventing fluid from flowing from said end of the pump cylinder into said chamber, and allowing fluid to pass from the second named passages into the first named passage, and preventing the fluid from passing from the first named passage into the second named passages, and valve means controlling the communication between the first named passage and the reservoir.

3. A hydraulic valve lifter comprising a body, a handle fixed to said body, a movable handle pivoted to the body, a jaw fixed to said body, a movable jaw pivoted to the body, main and pump cylinders formed in said body, a liquid reservoir and chamber formed in said body and in direct communication with each other, a main piston operating in the main cylinder, means connecting said piston to the movable jaw, a pump piston operating in the pump cylinder and fastened to the movable handle, one end of said pump cylinder being in direct communication with the reservoir, one end of the main cylinder being in direct communication with the chamber, said body having a passage communicating with one end of the main cylinder and the reservoir, said body having passages establishing communication with one end of the pump cylinder and the chamber and the first named passage, check valve means in the second named passages to allow fluid to pass from the chamber into one end of the pump cylinder and preventing said fluid from passing from said end of the pump cylinder into said chamber, and allowing fluid to pass from the second named passages into the first named passage, and preventing said fluid from passing in the opposite direction, a valve for controlling the communication between the first-named passage and the reservoir, and a finger piece carried by the fixed handle for operating said valve.

4. A hydraulic valve lifter comprising a body, a handle fixed to said body, a movable handle pivoted tothe body, a jaw fixed to said body, a movable jaw pivoted to the body, main and pump cylinders formed in said body, a liquid reservoir and chamber formed in said body and in direct communication with each other, a main piston operating in the main cylinder, means connecting said piston tothe movable jaw, a pump piston operating in the pump cylinder and connected to the movable handle, one end of said pump cylinder being in direct communication with the reservoir, one end of the main cylinder being in direct communication with the chamber, said body having a passage communicating with one end of the main cylinder and the reservoir, said body having passages establishing communication between one end of the pump cylinder and the chamber and the first named passage, check valve means in the second named passages to allow fluid to pass from the chamber into one end of the pump cylinder and preventing said fluid from passing from said end of said pump cylinder into said chamber, and allowing fluid to pass from the second named passages into the first named passage, and preventing said fluid from passing in the opposite direction, a valve for controlling the communication between the first named passage and the reservoir, a finger piece carried by the fixed handle for operating said valve, a spring acting on the main piston to move the pivoted jaw toward the fixed jaw, a-spring acting on the pump piston to move the movable handle away from the fixed handle.

5. A hydraulic valve lifter comprising a body, a handle fixed to said body, a movable handle pivoted to said body, a jaw fixed to said body, a movable jaw pivoted to the body, said jaws each including parallel members capable of fiexation, means for adjusting said members of each jaw towards and from each other, means for adjusting the fixed jaw relative to the movable jaw, and

a hydraulic actuating means connecting the movable handle to the movable jaw.

6. A hydraulic valve lifter comprising a body, a handle fixed to said body, a movable handle pivoted to the body, a fixed jaw secured to said body, a movable jaw pivoted to the body, said jaws each including parallel members capable of flexation, means for adjusting said members of each jaw towards and from each other, means for adjusting the fixed jaw relative to the movable jaw, a bell crank lever pivoted to the body and connected to the movable jaw, and a hydraulic actuating means carried by the body and connected to the movable handle and to the bell crank lever.

MUNSEY F. DOYLE. 

